Direct draw faucet assembly



Oct. 12, 1943 E 2,331,729

DIRECT DRAW EAUCET ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 4, 1940- V I V 63 76 l 7 78 8/ 52- 77 82 80 I Ewe E7575 FRANK AT A 765 Patented Oct. 12, 1943 DERECT DRAW FAUCET ASSEMBLY Frank E. Rice, Detroit, Mich; Nelson is. Rice administrator of said Frank E. Rice, deceased Application October 4, 1940, Serial No. 359,661

10 Claims.

The present invention relates to a beverage faucet and more particularly to a beerfaucet which is so constructed asto insulate, from room temperatures, a small volume of beer trapped therein during periods of inactivity.

At the present time, great difficulty is experienced in providing faucets for carbonated beverages which will assure the drawing of a single glass of the beverage at the proper temperature and carbonation after the faucethas remained idle and has been exposed to room temperatures for a period of time. This is particularly true when the beverage is beer. During warm weather, even an idle period of fifteen minutes will result in the first glass of beer being unsalable clue to excess foam and increased temperature of the liquid. As the solubility of carbon dioxide gas decreases as the temperature increases, the beer contained in such a faucet will lose much of its carbonation and the free gas will form pockets which causes spitting or sudden bursts of liquid when the faucet is opened, with the result that excess foam is formed as the beer is being drawn.

While this problem may be solved satisfactorily v refrigerating or cooling the casing of the faucet, the results are unsatisfactory due to the in fabrication of this type of faucet.

It is, therefore, an important object of the pres- 2 cut invention to eliminate these objections by providing an. inexpensive and unrefrigerated faucet assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an insu ated. faucet assembly which holds a very small volume of beverage therein during periods of nactivity.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an unrefrigerated faucet assembly of thin and light metal parts which permits the drawing of a salable glass of beverage with the proper amount of foam and at the proper carbonation and temperature even after hours of standing without operation.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a novel handle and valve construction which cooperate with cam action.

Another and still further object of this inven tion is the provision of a handle and valve construction in which the handle is automatically returned to a closed position of the faucet when operated but partially between its operating limits and which may be actuated to a fully opened position of the faucet and retained in that position until manually returned part way in'which the faucet is again automatically closed.

The novel features believed to be characteristic: of the present invention are set forth with par- The invention Figure 2 is an enlarged broken vertical crosssectional view of the faucet shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line III--III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the lower end of the draught tube shOWn in Figure 1; and,

Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line V-V of Figure 4.

The device illustrated in Figure 1 generally comprises a faucet assembly IEl'and a draught tube I. A portion ll of a refrigerating box is illustrated only for the purpose of showing the major portion of the faucet assembly It! as being exposed to room temperatures. The connection between the faucet assembly I i] and the refrigerating box forms no part of this invention and therefore will not be described. ,A line l3l3 represents the general position of the top of a beer barrel through which the draught rod H is inserted. No connection between the faucet assembly III or the draught rod H is shown with the top of the beer barrel as it forms no part of this invention.

As best shown in Figure 2, the faucet assembly l0 comprises a tubular shell l4 lined on its inner side with cork l5 or other insulating material. At the upper end of the shell there is provided a closure cap l6 having a lower portion ll of reduced diameter for abutment insertion within the shell. While no insulating material has been shown for lining the cap l6, cork or other similar.

insulation may be used if desired. A spacer bushing I8 is inserted within the lower end of the shell I 4 with its outer face in flush relation with the lower edge of the shell. This bushing is provided with a peripheral wall IQ for engagement with the inner surface of the shell land a central apertured bushing 28 for receiving therethrough the draught tube ll. As best shown in Figure 3, the bushing is connected to the peripheral wall l9 by means of a plurality of ribs 2|. As the side walls of the draught tube H are too thin to permit the draught tube to be pressed through the central aperture of the bushing 26, the draught tube is connected to the bushing by solder or other suitable means.

The upper endof the draught tube H is threaded for connection to an internally threaded elbow member 22. As shown in Figure 2, the elbow 22 is provided with a downwardly extending leg 23 which is internally threaded as at 24 for connection to the draught tube as previ-- ously described. A shorter leg- 25'1s disposed in angular relation to the leg 33 for a" purposeto be more fully described hereinafter. The side walls of the elbow 22 are apertures as at 22A to allow for air circulation through the elbow and downwardlywithin the draught tube H. The top wall 26 ofthe elbow 221'sthickeh'ed and provided with a threaded recess into which is inserted a cap screw 21 for the pui' pese of aiding in the support of the elbowby the" cap it. It is to be noted: that the connection between the bushing l8 and the draught tube' l'l together with the connection betweerithecapscrew 21 and theelbow 22 provides an axial support by the faucet body at: its end portions of the operative structure of the faucetdcvi'ce.

A nozzle assembly 28. is formed, as a union with a female coupling portionatone end formed by a coupling sleeve 29 and aninternally threaded coupling nut 30. The sleeve 29 is provided at one end with areduced portion 3| whichis'pressed into the short hollow leg 25 ot the elbow member 22.- If desired,- this connection can be made more positive by soldering, welding, threading or the like. An outwardly extending flange 32 is provided adjacent the opposite end of the coupling sleeve against which theinner shoulder of the loosely swiveled coupling nut 38- abuts when threadedly connected to the nozzl proper 33. The outer surface of the coupling. nut 30 is knurled as shown in Figure l tq provide a rough surface for aiding in turning the nut by hand when the parts are connected together.

The nozzle 33 forms the male portion of the union nozzle assembly 28. One end of the noz zle 33 is provided with exterior threads for enga'g'e'mnt with the interior threads of the coupling nut 34 whereby a tightening of the couplir'ig nut draws the end of the nozzle 33 into abutment with the outer face of the flange 32. In order that the coupling sleeve 2'9 and the nozzle proper 33 be connected in proper alignment so that the faucet faces downwardly as shown in Figure 1', a slot 31A is provided in the flange 32 of the sleeve 2! for receiving therein a forwa'rdly extending lug 335. on the threaded end of the nozzle 33.

A recess 34 is provided at the threaded endof the nozzle- 33 for receiving therein the end of the sleeve 29, and a sealing washer 35 is interposed between the end of the sleeve 29 and the shoulder formed at the end of the recess 34 to provide a fluid-tight joint when the union parts comprising the nozzle assembly 28 are connected together.

- At an intermediate inner portion of the nozzle 33, there is provided a reduced passageway 38 forming a valve seat 31. Between the valve seat 31 and the recess 34 there is provided a valve chamber 38 whose purpose is to be described more fully hereinafter.

The reduced chamber 36 is continued in two angula-rly extending branches, one of which extends in an axial direction in a reduced guide cylinder 39 and the other continued in an angular direction therefrom in a nozzle opening 43 which is formed by the tap or spigot 4i The outwardly extending end of the nozzle 33 terminates in a portion of U-shaped configuration in cross-section having a web 42 and spaced parallel sidewalls 43, only one of which is shown in Figure 2 A handle member 44 is provided at one end with a cam portion 45 which is pivotally connected to and between the side walls 43 by means of a screw or pivot pin 45. Substantially rightan'gilarly extending cam surfaces 41 and 43 are provided respectively at the end and top edge or the cam end 45; to form a slightly round-ed corner 45A therebetween. As best shown in Figure' '2, when the pivoted handl 44 is rocked to the position illustrated, the camsurface 48 moves into engagement with the offsetinner surface 49 of the web portion: 42. A shoulder 53 i provided thereby for engaging a portion of the camsurface 41. v

A ball handle or grip 5! is provided at the end ofthe member 44 opposite the cam end and which is grasped when the handle is to be rocked about itspiv'ot 4B. The handle 5i may be formed of any suitable material and it is preferred that it be formed'of a suitable colored plastic which contrasts with the metal finish of the faucet assembly;

A fluid tube 52, or smaller diameter than the inside diameter of the draught tube H, has one end inserted within a portion of the end 3! of the" coupling'sleeve 29'. The inserted end is flared slightly outwardly as at 53 to eliminate the possibility of. the tube 5? being pulled out of en'- gagement' from within the sleeve 29. The tube 52 isthenbentangularl'y downward to pass through the elbow member 22 and a portion of the draught tube it in coaxial alignment therewith. A bushing 54 is sweat into place or otherwise suitably secured to the inner surface of the.

side walls of the draught rod H to tightly embrace a portion of the lower end of th fluid tube 52. This connection provides a fluid-tight joint between the tubes II and 52' and, together with the connection of the tube at its other end 53, supports the fluid tube in its coaxial relationship wi'th the draught tube H. The washer 54 has an inner outwardly flared surface 55 connectin; the end of the tube 52 with the inner surface of the draught time I l for the purpose of elimiriati'fig ocket between the diiferent sized fluid passageways defined by the draught tube I l and the fluid tube 52.

The inner bore of the coupling sleeve 23 adjacent the end 53 of the fluid tube 52 is arranged to slidirigly receive a portion of the tubular shank end 58 of the valve assembly 57. Adjacent the sliding bore isa bore 58- of increased diameter sufilciently large to retain a coil spring 59 which embraces the tubular valve end 56.

The valve assembly 51 comprises a head 50 of circular cross=section having at one end a recess for receivingtherein the reduced end portion 8! of a rubber valve member 62. The outwardly extending end of the rubber valve 62 is rounded for the purpose of seating against the edge of the seat 31 defined between the differently sized chambers 36 and 38.

The opposite end of the head 60 terminates in the tubular portion. 56. Portions of the head 60,

adjacent the tubular portion are cutout to provide orifices 63 and which communicate with the interior of the tubular end 56, thereby providing a fluid flow passageway from the fluid tube 52 into the chamber 38. The reduced tubular end 56 forms a shoulder 65 in its connection with the valve head '60. to. provide an abutment for one end of the coil spring59 whose other end seats at the end of the enlarged bore 58 in the sleeve 29. i

The valve 62 has been described as being of rubber. It is. to be understood,;however, that. the useof .any other suitable material for the purpose of seating onthe seat 31 is withinthe scope of this. invention. The rubber valve 62 'is maintained in its seatedengagement within the-head 69 bymeans of a flanged shaft. The rubber valve 68 is provided with a central aperture into which partially extends a bearing bushing 66 havin an outwardly extending flange Slat one endthereof for abutment against the outer end of the rubber.

valve. A shaft. 68' is formed to provide a flange 69 adjacent an end thereof. The extremity of thesh'aft is threaded as at"!!! for engagement within a second recess formed'at the bottom of the head recess which seats the reduced end 6| of the rubber valve. The second recess is provided with threads into which the threaded end of the shaft 68 is inserted and when so connected the shaft flange 6Q abuts against the flange El andthe bearing bushing 66.

At'the other end of the shaft as, there is.pro-.

vided a, guide portion 1l, the outer end 12 of which ispreferably; formed integralwith the shaft and is of increased diameter. immediately, adjacent the outer end portion-12 is of decreased diameter to receive anembracing sleeve 13 which is pressed thereon. This sleeve is of the. same diameter as the outer end 12 and is preferably formed of brass or 'other similar and When the handle is in afvertical position as The 'shaft inner or offset surface 49 of the Web 42. In other words, compression of the coil spring 59 will automatically rock the handl back to its vertical or closed position providing the handle is not rocked to a position in which the cam corner lies above the upper edge of the-outer end I2 of the shaft 68. When the camcorner is rocked above the outer end 12 of the shaft, compression of the coil spring 59 will maintain the handl 44 me position in which the nozzle is open for fluid flow through the spigot 4|. z

In view of the cam action between the end of the handle 44 and the outer end 12 of th shaft 68, the reason for providing theend 12 as an inillustrated in Figure 1,,the'va1Veassem bly 51 is in a position inwhich the rubber valve 62 isseated against the seat 31 to close the faucet against fluid flow. By rocking the handle to the right or in a clockwise direction about itspivot .46. the end portion 12. of the, shaft 68'slides along the guide cylinder 39 by reason of its cam engage ment with the corner'45A at .the end of the handle between the cam surfaces 41 and 48'. As long ,as this cam engagement is between thecorner45A and the shaft .end portion 12, thepressure of the coil spring 59 will be suificient to rock the handle 44 back to its normal or vertical closed position by reason of the'handle corner lying below the pivot 46.. However, if the cam corner 45A is operated above the end portion l2 so. thatthe latter engages against the end cam surface 41, then a release of the handle M will notefiecta'returnof the handleto it'svertical position. The angularity of this cam engagement, as shown in Figure 2, is such that compression of the coil spring 59 tends to urge the-v edge c'am'surface 48 into' engagement with the side is engaged by the. edge of the end cap 89.

: tegral portion of theshaft becomes obvious and lower end of the draught rod' II is internally threaded asat 16 for receiving therein one end ll of a nipple 18. The opposite end 19 of the nipple is exteriorly threaded similar to the end 11 for the purpose of threadedly receivingtherearound an end cap 80. It'isto be noted that the exterior threads on the ends 11 and 19 of the nipple are separated by an outwardly extending flange 8| which abuts on one side against the lowerend of the draught-tube l I and on its other A plurality of openings 82 are provided in the side walls of the end cap for the purpose of defining fluid flow passageways into the interior thereof. 1

A short tubular nipple. 83 has an end portion pressed into the inner bore 84 of the nipple 18. If desired, the nipple 83 may be soldered, welded, brazed or similarly.- and more positively secured within the nipple ,18. Suitable elongated apertures 85 are provided in the side walls of the tubular nipple 83 which extend above the nipple, 'l8.- A screen 86, or other suitable filtering means,

is formed to embrace the sleeve portion of the tubular nipple 83 to thereby cover the apertures 89. The upper end of the floating throttling tube 89 is pointed as at 9| (see Figure 2) for the purpose of guiding fluid flowing around the floating tube as it enters the unrestricted inner portion of the draught tube ll. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the floating tube 89 has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the draught tube II for the purpose of acting as -a floating restriction to throttle the fluid-stream as itflows upwardly'throughzthe draught rod.

The position of the pointed end 9| on the floating tube 89 with respect to the, draught tube H and the faucet assembly It] will depend entirely on the length of the floating tubeand the amount of restriction desired within the draught tube.

Inasmuch as the carbonated beverage, such as beer, is confined in a barrel under pressure, the beverage willfiow throigh the opening 82 in the endcap 8|, upwardly through the tubular nipple Stand the screen 86 into the draught tube H. The beverage will then pass around the floating restrictor I8, into the fluid tube 52, and through the valve tubular end 58 into the chamber 38. The beverage remains trapped within the chamber 38 until the handle It is actuated toforce the valve 62 away from its seat 31. When the valve is opened, the beverage flows through the nozzle 4| into a glass, stein, or other beverage container. As shown in Figure 2', it will be noted that the volume of trapped beverage within the fluid tube 52', the tubular end 56 of the valvetstructnre, and the chamber 38 is very small. By actual, measurement this volume of fluid has been found to be 8 cc. and is the amount of fluid which is exposed to room temperatures when the faucet stands Any fluid trapped within the draught tube'H below the fluid tube 52', will naturally be exposed to the refrigerationof the box 12. Ifv the faucet device were'allowed to stand for any length of time, the temperature of the trapped 8 cc. of fluid would materially in crease. As soon is the handle is moved to a position in which fluid or beverage is drawn through the nozile, the cooled fluid Within the draught tube H immediately chills the fluid tube 52 and the adjacent valve and nozzle structures.

As the volume of 8 cc. would be: but a small portion of aglass of beverage, it is obvious that the temperature of the entire glass of beverage would vary very little from the temperature" of the beverage contained in the cooled draught I I". Furthermore, the volume of trapped fluid exposed to room temperatures. is so small that the amount of free carbon dioxide gas liberated as the temperature of the tr apped liquid increases would be so small that the usual spitting or sud den bursts of liquid as the nozzle is opened would be entirely lacking. By reducing the amount of free carbon dioxide gas, the objection to excess foaming in drawing beverage through the faucet is entirely eliminated.

The provision of insulation within the faucet retards the absorption of heat by the trapped fluid within the'fluid tube, the tubular end of the valve structure and the chamber 33.

From the foregoing description, it will be observed that a faucet anddraught tube assembly has been provided herein wzucn is simple in construction, requires no refrigeration of the faucet and which automatically maintains the temperature and carbonation even of a first'glass of beverage drawn after the faucet has been allowed to stand exposed to room temperatures for long periods of time. In fact, actual tests have becn'made in which the carbonation and temperature of a first glass 'of beer was found to be substantially the same after the device had stood unused for a period oftwent'y hours.

While a particular embodiment only of this invention has been illustrated, it will, of course, be understood thatth'e' invention should not be limited thereto'since many modifications may be made and, therefore, it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim the following:

1. A draught device for connecting a source of fluid supply anda faucet, comprising a tubular body having a. closed end and an open end, inner and outer tube constructions mounted in said body, said outer tube construction having openings therein for the circulation of air in the body between saidtube constructions, a coupling member connected atone end to said tube constructions and having its other end arranged for connection to, a faucet, and a closure valve having a tubular shank in said coupling member slidable toward and away from said tube constructions, said inner tube construction and the tubular shank on said valve defining a restricted fluid flow passageway of small volume.

2. A draught device for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet, comprising an insulated tubular body having a closed end and an open end adapted to be inserted into a refrigerated box for the source of fiuid'supply to define an insulated chamber communicating with the box, a draught tube extending through the open end of the body into'said chamber, a hollow member in'sai'd chamber on the end of the draught tube andhaving apertures joining the chamber with the interior of the draught tube, a coupling sleeve extending through a side wall of the tubular body and having one end connected to said hollow member and its otherend arranged for connection to a faucet, an inner fluid conveying tube within and spaced from said draught tube and extending into said coupling sleeve and arranged for directing fluid from the draught tube through the chamber to the coupling sleeve while refrigerated air in the chamber can flow through the apertures of thehollow member around the inner tube, and a closure valve havin a tubular portion in said coupling member slidable toward and away from said inner tube, said inner tube and tubular valve portion defining a restricted fluid flow passageway of small volume. 3. A draught device for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet, comprising a tubular insulated shell having one end adapted to be inserted into a refrigerated box for the source of fluid supply, a removable cap on the other end of said shell, a hollow elbow fitting carried by said cap and having openings in the side walls thereof, a draught tube connected to said one end of the shell and extending into the shell and connected to one end of the elbow fitting, a coupling member extending through a side wall of said shell and having one end connected to the other end of said elbow fitting and the other end of the coupling member being arranged for connection to a faucet, an inner tube of smaller diameter than and within said draught tube and extending through said elbow member into said coupling member, and a closure valve having a tubular portion in said coupling member slldable toward and away from said inner tube, said inner tube and tubular valve portion defining a restricted fluid flow passageway of small volume.

4. A draught device for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet, comprising an insulated tubular body having a closed end and an open end adapted to be inserted into a refrigerated box for the source of fluid supply, a draught tube mounted in said tubular body and projecting therefrom for insertion into said source of supply, a filter and flow restriction construction in the projecting portion of the draught tube, a hol- 10w apertured member between the closed end of said tubular body and the end of the draught tube in the body, a coupling sleeve extending through the bodyvhaving one end connected to said hollow member and its other end arranged for connection to a faucet, an inner tube within said draught tube having one end connected to an intermediate portion of the draught tube and its other end extending into said coupling sleeve, and a closure valve having a, tubular portion in said coupling sleeve slidable toward and away from said inner tube, said inner tube and tubular valve portion defining a restricted fluid flow passageway of small volume.

5. A draught device for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet, comprising an insulated tubular body having a closed end and an open end adapted to be inserted into a refrigerated box for the source of fluid supply, a

draught tube extending into said body and being carried thereby at its open end, a filter and re striction construction in said draught tube, a member ecured in said body having apertured side walls and hollow angularly extending legs with one of said legs being connected to said draught tube, a faucet coupling sleeve extending through a side wall of the body and connected to the other leg of said hollow member, an inner tube within and concentric to said draught tube having one end connected to an intermediate portion of the draught tube and its other end extending into said coupling sleeve, and a closure valve having a tubular portion in said coupling sleeve slidable toward and away from said inner tube, said inner tube and tubular valve portion defining a restricted fluid flow passageway of small volume.

6. A direct tapping draught tube structure for drawing fluid from a barrel or the like within a refrigerated box, comprising a hollow shell having an open end arranged in communication with the interior of the refrigerated box for circulation therebetween, a tubular construction carried by and extending through said shell and having one end inserted in the barrel and the other end thereof adapted for connection to a faucet, and a second tubular, construction of smaller diameter than said first tubular construction mounted within and extending intermediate the ends of the first tubular construction, said first tubular construction having openings therein exposing casing, said tubular construction having openings in the side walls thereof defining passageways between the insides of said casing and said tubular construction, one end of said tubular construction being inserted in the barrel and the other end thereof being adapted for connection to a faucet, and a tube of smaller diameter mounted coaxially within the portion of said tubular construction lying within said casing and having its ends connected to the side walls of the tubular construction for defining a restricted fluid flow passageway.

8. A draught tube construction for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet comprising a tube, a restriction rod within the tube in spaced relation therefrom, an apertured hollow end closure construction for said tube having an extension pivotally connected to said rod for defining a fluid passageway from the outside of said closure construction to the inside of said tube around said rod, and filtering means in said fluid passageway.

9. A draught tube construction for connecting a source of fluid supply and a faucet comprising a tube, a restriction rod within said tube having its outer surface spaced from the side walls of the tube, a hollow cap having fluid flow openings communicating with its interior, a hollow nipple connecting said cap and said tube, an apertured extension on said nipple being pivotally connected to an end of said restriction rod, and a filtering screen around aid apertured extension.

10. A direct tapping draught tube structure for drawing fluids from a barrel or the like within a refrigerated box, comprising a hollow shell having a closed end and an open end arranged in communication with the interior of the refrigerated box for circulation therebetween, a tubular construction extending through and connected to the closed and open ends of said shell, said tubular construction having a portion extending in an axial direction of said shell and a portion extending in substantially a radial direction through a ide wall of said shell intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said tubular construction being inserted in the barrel and the other end thereof being adapted for connection to a faucet, and a tube of smaller diameter mounted within the portion of said tubular structure lying within the casing, said tubular construction having openings therein connecting the space between said tube and said tubular construction to the interior of said shell for circulation therebetween. 

